WALKERS and dog owners are being warned to be on their guard following an increase in the number of adder bites in West Somerset - and the shock discovery of one in the bedroom of a bungalow in Bicknoller. Minehead teacher Katie Neal's three-year-old Jack Russell Susie became the latest victim of the only venomous snake native to Britain during his morning walk on Tuesday. And just three days earlier Chris Moiser, director of West Somerset's Tropiquaria Zoo, had to go to the aid of an elderly woman in Bicknoller after an adder somehow found its way into her home. Katie was on North Hill with five of her family's dogs, all but one, including Susie, on extending leads when the adder struck. "We were just near the old army training ground but I had absolutely no idea anything was wrong until I got back to my home in the town about 20 minutes later," she said. "I went to give Susie a biscuit and she wouldn't eat it." Within a few minutes Katie noticed to her horror that the terrier's face was massively swollen. "It was just huge - she looked like a bear. I couldn't see any puncture wounds and my first thought was that she had swallowed a bee." Katie, 31, who works at West Somerset College, rushed Susie to White Lodge veterinary clinic in the town where the adder bite was quickly diagnosed after two puncture wounds were discovered under her chin. "Susie had to be put on a drip and given anti-venom serum," said Katie. "She had to stay at the vets for a few hours and felt very sorry for herself. "The swelling is taking a while to go down. I'm just relieved that none of our other dogs got bitten but I want to warn people of the danger. "We've had dogs for years but this is the first time it's happened to us. "It was just such a shock and at the time I had no idea anything was wrong. "Susie is a rescue dog and we've only had her for a few months - I'm just so glad she's going to be OK but I hope our experience will make people take extra care when they're out walking." The White Lodge practice has dealt with seven cases of dogs suffering adder bites so far this year - almost double the average number. The majority have happened within the last two months. Vet Simon White told the Free Press that, statistically, the more traditional danger months were in the spring and autumn. Adders do not attack and bite in defence unless they are disturbed or feel threatened. "With dogs, it's the paws or the face that are the most vulnerable and likely areas to be affected," said Mr White. "A dog will usually suddenly jump backwards if it has been bitten. Swelling is very rapid and severe and usually occurs within 20 minutes or less. "It's rarely fatal but it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible - an untreated dog can be a very sick dog." Mr White said people should be extra vigilant when walking in areas of open heathland, bracken and gorse, such as the Quantocks and Exmoor. "The best advice is to make as much noise as possible." Meanwhile, Chris Moiser from Tropiquaria is still trying to fathom out how a young adder got into a bungalow in Bicknoller. Mr Moiser was called out to help last Saturday after the owner of the property and her daughter contacted the police. "It was a modern built house so it's a mystery as to how the adder got in," he said. "When I got the call I thought it would probably be a grass snake so I was surprised to find it actually was an adder. "It was on the carpet in the bedroom and the owner had put a plant pot with a hammer on the top over it. "It was a baby, only about a foot long." To everyone's relief Mr Moiser managed to get it into a bucket, which he then sealed, later releasing the adder back onto the Quantocks, where it probably came from. "There are definitely more adders around this year and the population is growing on the Quantocks," he said. "I think it is largely due to the mild winter and the fact that there is more prey around because of the lack of pest control. "Dogs are mainly at risk but if a person is bitten the key thing is not to panic but to get to hospital as soon as possible. "People should be very aware when they are walking in high risk areas." And anyone finding an adder in their home can always call Tropiquaria for help on 01984 640688.